The Right Way To Launder A Leather Jacket

Leather jackets are a lot more versatile and beneficial than simply serving as a stylish fashion statement. While humans have used variations of leather and furs for clothing throughout history, the first proper leather jacket was invented in 1917 by the U.S. Army Aviation Clothing Board, per Buffalo Jackson. The jackets were designed for World War I pilots and had sheepskin lining.

It was a few years later that leather jackets were designed for daily wear — especially for motorcyclists. The leather garment is ideal for protecting your skin, particularly if you're a biker, as well as protecting you from weather conditions since it's wind resistant and repels water (via F Jacket). That water-repellent quality can make it difficult to clean the material, though. As with any piece of clothing, over time, your jacket will get dirty on the inside and outside, and you'll need to remove the dirt, odors, oils, etc. — especially if you purchase your leather secondhand. Leather is a tough and durable material, but to make it last a long time and look its best, you need to take care of it properly — you can't simply throw it in the washer or take it to the dry cleaner. Keep reading to learn how to properly clean your leather jackets.

Before knowing how to launder leather, you should know what to avoid and why. As MAHI Leather explains, leather contains natural oils that it needs to not only look good but to keep its structural integrity. Water strips the leather of those oils, as does soap, so washing it in the washing machine or cleaning it by hand regularly will dry it out, which leads to cracks, rips, and taking away its natural shine.

In extreme circumstances, leather can be dry cleaned, but specifically by a leather specialist. However, a specialist can be hard to track down while also being quite expensive. Luckily, it's totally possible to clean your leather jacket yourself. While you know the outer shell of your jacket is 100% leather, make sure you can identify the material of the inner shell or lining. There should be a tag to indicate the lining material, which will need separate treatment from the leather shell.

There are a few ways to effectively and safely wash or clean leather jackets. The first method involves spot-cleaning with water and mild soap. Per Buffalo Jackson, you should first use a soft cloth to get rid of any surface dirt. If it's heavily soiled, use a gentle leather brush to get rid of any build-up.

Next, mix together warm water and a couple of tablespoons of mild soap. Then, use a very gentle sponge or cloth dipped into the mixture and wrung out until it's just damp, and blot out any dirty spots — be very careful not to rub it in and not to get the jacket too wet. Finally, use a dry, soft cloth to pat dry the water spots. You could also skip the soap entirely and either just wipe it down or use a specific leather cleaner. As for the lining, the mild soap and water mixture should be fine for most materials but check the tag. Handwash the lining, making sure not to over-saturate it in water, and let it air dry — just keep it away from heat and direct sun that could damage the leather.